Dovizioso stuns Pedrosa on first day of official 250cc tests Andrea Dovizioso sent out an early warning shot to Daniel Pedrosa in the first official head-to-head between the two World Champions during today’s official 250cc test at the Catalunya circuit in Spain. The quarter-litre riders took over the track from their 125cc counterparts this afternoon and Dovizioso, who lifted the minor category title last season and is preparing for his rookie campaign in the bigger class, was swiftly into the groove. With current 250cc World Champion Pedrosa and last year’s runner-up Sebastian Porto dominating the time sheets for much of the day, Dovizioso posted a late effort of 1:47.148 to confirm his status as a serious threat to the reign of his Honda colleague. However, the Italian was quick to play down his chances. “I’m very happy, the bike is going well and I’m pleased with the lap times, but I don’t think the fact I have lapped faster than Pedrosa today tells the whole story,” commented Dovizioso, who is nevertheless aiming to become the third rider in consecutive seasons to win the 250cc title at the first attempt, after Pedrosa and Manuel Poggiali. “Dani is still the fastest rider out there and remains the clear favourite for the championship. I’ll be giving it my best shot to beat him though!” Jorge Lorenzo, who has followed Dovizioso from the 125cc class to Honda’s official 250cc ranks this season, crashed out today but escaped uninjured and set the seventh fastest time behind Aprilia trio Randy De Puniet, Alex de Angelis and Casey Stoner. The notable absentee from today’s session was Australian rider Anthony West, who is due to ride KTM’s first ever 250cc road racer in the World Championship this season. Harald Bartol, Technical Director for the Austrian factory, was present to supervise their 125cc testing and revealed that it is unlikely the quarter-litre project will reach the track before the fourth round of the season at Le Mans in May. The 125cc morning session was again dominated by Mattia Pasini and Thomas Luthi, with the Italian topping the time sheets after playing second fiddle to his Swiss rival yesterday. “I’m really happy with the work we’ve carried out here,” commented Pasini, last season’s 125cc Rookie of the Year. “We’ve been working hard over the winter tests and these results are evidence of that although we still have plenty of room for improvement.” Marco Simoncelli and Gabor Talmacsi also continued their good form from the first day but there was bad news for fellow title hopeful Alvaro Bautista, who cracked his scaphoid in a crash that saw the track closed for several minutes. The Spaniard his hopeful of returning to action at the second and final batch of official 125cc tests at Jerez next week. Wednesday’s Official 250cc Test Times: 1. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:47.148 2. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:47.253 3. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:47.321 4. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:47.824 5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:48.081 6. Casey STONER, Aprilia, 1:48.281 7. Jorge LORENZO, Honda, 1:48.332 8. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:48.651 9. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:48.936 10. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:48.955 11. Hector BARBERA, Honda, 1:48.975 12. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:49.320 13. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:49.385 14. Simone CORSI, Aprilia, 1:49.541 15. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:49.758 16. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 1:49.886 17. Taro SEKIGUCHI, Aprilia, 1:50.075 18. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 1:50.119 19. Gregory LEBLANC, Aprilia, 1:50.199 20. Jakub SMRZ, Honda, 1:50.225 21. Andrea BALLERINI, Aprilia, 1:50.376 22. Yuki TAKAHASHI, Honda, 1:50.624 23. Martin CARDENAS, Aprilia, 1:52.110 24. Radomil ROUS, Honda, 1:52.211 25. Dirk HEIDOLF, Honda, 1:52.836 26. Gabriele FERRO, Fantic, 1:54.726 27. Arnaud VINCENT, Fantic, 1:57.756

Jeff Williams has teamed up to ride for Z1cycletech Ducati in the Canadian Cuperbike Championship. The 11 year veteran superbike rider will race a 2005 999R in the Parts Canada series. Team owner Zaid Saleemi said “Jeff is a colorful racer and a great addition to our team, I think we can expect big things because he always gives 100 percent”.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Ben Spies were each fined $1000 by AMA Pro Racing for technical violations following the 2005 AMA season-opening races at Daytona International Speedway March 9-12. Roadracingworld.com has learned that the fines were for not having a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the frame of each rider’s 2005 GSX-R1000. Yates received his fine in Superstock. Spies was penalized in Superbike. Rules for each class require that frames have VIN numbers. No points were taken from either rider, according to the fines and penalties section of the official AMA Pro Racing website. Only riders are penalized for technical violations because AMA Pro road racing rules do not recognize the existence of teams, and the sanctioning body’s only official relationship is with licensed riders. Roadracingworld.com has asked AMA Pro Racing officials how, given the lack of VIN numbers, they were able to determine that Yates and Spies were using production frames at Daytona. AMA Pro Racing has acknowledged receipt of Roadracingworld.com’s March 15 e-mail but has not responded as of Wednesday morning.

Camel Honda team launches 2005 MotoGP mission In the prestigious surroundings of the Palazzo della Borsa in Milan, the Camel Honda team officially presented its 2005 line-up to the world’s media. Troy Bayliss and Alex Barros will this year proudly wear Camel Honda’s colours in the MotoGP World Championship 2005, and appeared on the stage alongside Roberto Zanni – Senior Vice President of JT International, Ishii Tsutomu – HRC General Manager and two-times World Champion, Sito Pons – Team Manager. Roberto Zanni JT International Worldwide Market and Sales Senior Vice-President “We chose to have this event here in Milan because Italy is an important market for JTI, and one where we are particularly competitive. Italy is also a country of motorsport and because of this we have launched some of our most important motorsport projects from here; projects which have already been successful and which pushed Camel into renewing their challenge for the title once more this season. This is also why we have chosen two extraordinary riders; two racers who have demonstrated a most fantastic mix of experience and enthusiasm in MotoGP – Alex Barros and Troy Bayliss. They have an important attribute in common, they have an incredible desire to get back on top, and as such are hungry for victory. This makes them two fearful riders on the track for their adversaries. Speaking of their rivals this year, there is another out there who won’t necessarily be such, because he is a friend who got the opportunity to ride with the factory team but will still display the Camel brand: Max Biaggi. I’m enthusiastic about this team and we expect a championship full of excitement from them.” Ishii Tsutomu HRC General Manager “This year we don’t have a title to defend and so that objective is of utmost importance to Honda. I’m looking forward to a very successful season. I think that with Alex Barros and Troy Bayliss we have the potential to win the championship, but success is not achieved just by having a top bike and top riders, you also need good teamwork and the support of a big name like JTI. I am looking forward to next season with confidence, we want to win the championship once more.” Sito Pons Camel Honda “When we present the team at the beginning of a season, I get the same kind of excitement as when our bikes are on the starting grid waiting for the green light. In the team’s 24 years there have been many thrilling winning moments and times which we are happy to remember. It makes us very proud that JTI have chosen to be our partners once more with the prestigious Camel brand, a leader at world level with who we now have a relationship going back three years. The Honda name is now part of the team’s history and in my opinion the RC211V is the best bike. Both our new riders Troy Bayliss and Alex Barros have the necessary talent and experience to carry out the enviable yet arduous task of taking it to victory. To complete the winning formula we have Michelin tyres, meaning that Alex and Troy will have fantastic support in their fight for victory in 2005.” Alex Barros Camel Honda “I am delighted to be here today, because returning to this team, to Camel Honda, is like going back to your friends. This is the first time in two years that I have felt in perfect physical shape and I think that this can be one of the high-points of my career. I will start this championship aiming to win, because as I see it there is no point in fighting for second place. From what I have seen in the tests so far, I think I can say that next season will be one of the most competitive ever, there are at least ten riders fighting for the podium positions. I have got a first rate team, a first rate bike, and I feel good and I hope to be able to use a bit of my vast experience. It will be a fantastic championship.” Troy Bayliss Camel Honda “I have been training extensively and last weekend I got my first podium of the season, taking third place in a bicycle race in San Remo”¦! Joking aside, we head off now for six test days in Barcelona and Jerez and I can’t wait to get started. It is certainly a tough task to get where the others are already, but I want to be at 100% for the first race. At the moment I would say that I am at 80%. I still need to find a good feeling with the bike, but it is coming. Obviously for me to compete with the Camel Honda team is a massive change after so many years with the same bike, but above all it is a great opportunity. The team is fantastic and is work extremely hard to give me the best support possible. Our objective now is to find that missing 20 percent in the next tests. I can’t wait for this season to begin.”

1. Mattia PASINI, Apr, 1:51.538 2. Thomas LUTHI, Hon, 1:51.547 3. Marco SIMONCELLI, Apr, 1:52.005 4. Gabor TALMACSI, KTM, 1:52.405 5. Hector FAUBEL, Apr, 1:52.545 6. Fabrizio LAI, Hon, 1:52.567 7. Pablo NIETO, Der, 1:52.764 8. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:52.811 9. Julian SIMON, KTM, 1:52.984 10. Tomoyoshi KOYAMA, Hon, 1:52.997 11. Manuel POGGIALI, Gil, 1:53.036 12. Lukas PESEK, Der, 1:53.078 13. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Apr, 1:53.113 14. Mike DI MEGLIO, Hon, 1:53.322 15. Raffael DE ROSA, Apr, 1:53.387 16. Imre TOTH, Apr, 1:53.467 17. Toshihisa KUZUHARA, Hon, 1:53.474 18. Julian MIRALLES, Apr, 1:53.638 19. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Hon, 1:53.713 20. Federico SANDI, Hon, 1:53.777

British Superbike Test Brands Hatch Indy Circuit Unofficial Tuesday Afternoon Practice Times: 1. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Hon CBR1000RR, 45.973 seconds 2. Sean Emmett, Yam YZF-R1, 46.174 seconds 3. Gregorio Lavilla, Suz GSX-R1000, 46.405 seconds 4. Michael Rutter, Hon CBR1000RR, 46.447 seconds 5. Karl Harris, Hon CBR1000RR, 46.733 seconds 6. Scott Smart, Suz GSX-R1000, 46.853 seconds 7. Gary Mason, Hon CBR1000RR, 46.857 seconds 8. Jeremy McWilliams, Hon CBR1000RR, 47.164 seconds 9. Tommy Hill, Yam YZF-R1, 47.460 seconds 10. Michael Laverty, Hon CBR1000RR, 47.501 seconds 11. Ben Wilson, Kaw ZX-10R, 47.541 seconds 12. John McGuinness, Yam YZF-R1, 47.557 seconds 13. James Buckingham, Suz GSX-R1000, 47.586 seconds 14. John Laverty, Hon CBR1000RR, 47.638 seconds 15. Tristan Palmer, Kaw ZX-10R, 47.871 seconds 16. Stuart Easton, Duc 999RS, 47.890 seconds 17. Eugene Laverty, Hon CBR1000RR, 47.920 seconds 18. Jonathan Rea, Hon CBR1000RR, 47.955 seconds 19. Danny Beaumont, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.112 seconds 20. Dennis Hobbs, Yam YZF-R1, 48.142 seconds More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Rizla Suzuki relaxed as pre-season testing finishes RIZLA SUZUKI racer Scott Smart finished pre-season testing at Brands Hatch today and is in a relaxed mood for the start of the racing season in just two week’s time. The 28-year-old York based Londoner set the sixth fastest time during the cloudy test sessions and made significant progress in developing the GSX-R1000K5 to match his all-action riding style. Former Suzuki World Superbike star Gregorio Lavilla joined Rizla Suzuki to test alongside Scott and his feedback has helped accelerate the development of the all-new GSX-R1000K5. Finishing third on the time sheets, he has also been measured to fit the motorcycle in case Rizla Suzuki’s British Champion John Reynolds, who is recovering from a broken right leg sustained in testing last month, is unable to race at the opening round. The Official British Superbike Championship Series Launch takes place at the Audi Forum in London tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16th, and the team will be in attendance. The first round of the 2005 Championship is at Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent on Bank Holiday Monday, March 28th. Scott Smart: “We have used this test very productively. For us today wasn’t about outright lap times, it was about getting the best possible setting for Brands Hatch Indy circuit for when we come to race here at the opening round in a fortnight. “On race tyres and riding within myself, we are right on the pace. We will just get faster and faster as we complete more laps and there is still a lot of pure performance to come from the GSX-R1000K5 – we have only scratched the surface! “I didn’t go flat out today, there are no points for finishing first in testing. When we come back here to race though, I’ll not be holding back and I think we have a package with my GSX-R1000 and Rizla Suzuki team that is going to be difficult to beat. I can’t wait for the racing.” Gregorio Lavilla: “The Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000K5 is a very fast motorcycle and I have enjoyed riding it. Thank you to Rizla Suzuki for inviting me to this test. We finished the day with a faster setting than when we started, which is good progress and helps the team.” Niall Mackenzie, Team Performance Co-ordinator: “Rizla Suzuki has taken another step forward in the development of the GSX-R1000K5 and we are getting quicker with every lap completed. “Scott is happy with his set-up and dialing himself in nicely on his Rizla Suzuki. We tried a few specific changes to his bike and have a direction to follow when we return here in two weeks time for the first round of the Championship. “Our thanks to Gregorio for joining us, his feedback has been invaluable. It has been a big benefit having a second rider on our bike getting through some hard testing work. “JR came to support the team this morning and is keener than ever to be racing at the opening round after watching Gregorio and Scott on track. He plans to be with his doctors for the rest of the week receiving specialist treatment and Alpinestars is providing him with a reinforced boot in a bid to help him to race at the opening round. All our fingers are crossed for JR, we want him defending his title from the off.” Brands Hatch test times: 1: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 45.973, 2: Sean Emmett (Yamaha) +0.201, 3: GREGORIO LAVILLA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.432, 4: Michael Rutter (Honda) + 0.474, 5: Karl Harris (Honda) +0.760, 6: SCOTT SMART (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.880

Lüthi sets pace on first day of official 125cc test Swiss teenager Thomas Lüthi was the quickest 125cc rider on the first day of official tests at the Catalunya circuit near Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday. The Honda youngster, preparing for his fourth season in the World Championship, set a time of 1:52.789 to oust Aprilia rival Mattia Pasini from top spot after the Italian had dominated the time sheets for much of a cloudy but dry day. “This is a track I really like and the conditions today were perfect for testing,” commented Lüthi, who enjoyed his best ever career finish at this circuit with second place after a last-lap battle for victory with eventual World Champion Dani Pedrosa in 2003. “I had a small crash but it was nothing serious and I was able to get back on the bike and set my fastest time,” he continued. “Last season was a bit of a disaster for me but I have worked hard over the winter to make sure I am in top physical shape. I had a plate removed from my collarbone two weeks ago and I feel great. Hopefully this can be a good season for myself and the team.” With bright sunshine emerging for the final hour of the test, the majority of riders lapped until the track closed at 6pm. It provided an entertaining end to the day’s action, with riders from five different factories establishing their top six credentials for what promises to be another open and entertaining season. Whilst Gabor Talmacsi is entering his first season as a factory rider with KTM, former World Champion Manuel Poggiali returns to the class with Gilera, the factory with which he won the title in 2001, and Pablo Nieto is back at Derbi, where he made his entrance to Grand Prix back in 1999. Mattia Pasini and Marco Simoncelli, meanwhile, are two of Aprilia’s main hopes for glory, with the former having being crowned Rookie of the Year last season whilst the latter clinched his first victory at Jerez. The 125cc official test continues on Wednesday until 14.00h before making way for their 250cc counterparts. The premier-class MotoGP machines take to the track for three days of tests on Friday morning at 10.00h. 125cc Test Times: 1. Thomas LUTHI, Hon, 1:52.789 2. Mattia PASINI, Apr, 1:52.797 3. Gabor TALMACSI, KTM, 1:52.879 4. Marco SIMONCELLI, Apr, 1:53.022 5. Manuel POGGIALI, Gil, 1:53.117 6. Pablo NIETO, Derbi, 1:53.163 7. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:53.191 8. Mike DI MEGLIO, Hon, 1:53.201 9. Fabrizio LAI, Hon, 1:53.348 10. Hector FAUBEL, Apr, 1:53.357 11. Julian SIMON, KTM, 1:53.390 12. Lukas PESEK, Der, 1:53.482 13. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Apr, 1:53.801 14. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Hon, 1:53.847 15. Tomoyoshi KOYAMA, Hon, 1:53.863 16. Federico SANDI, Hon, 1:53.925 17. Andrea IANNONE, Apr, 1:54.124 18. Toshihisa KUZUHARA, Hon, 1:54.189 19. Jordi CARCHANO, Apr, 1:54.220 20. Imre TOTH, Apr, 1:54.231

British Superbike Test Brands Hatch Indy Circuit Unofficial Tuesday Morning Practice Times: 1. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Hon CBR1000RR, 46.319 seconds 2. Sean Emmett, Yam YZF-R1, 46.676 seconds 3. Michael Rutter, Hon CBR1000RR, 46.834 seconds 4. Karl Harris, Hon CBR1000RR, 47.142 seconds 5. Gregorio Lavilla, Suz GSX-R1000, 47.417 seconds 6. Scott Smart, Suz GSX-R1000, 47.457 seconds 7. Gary Mason, Hon CBR1000RR, 47.844 seconds 8. Tristan Palmer, Kaw ZX-10R, 48.087 seconds 9. Ben Wilson, Kaw ZX-10R, 48.195 seconds 10. Danny Beaumont, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.311 seconds 11. Jeremy McWilliams, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.354 seconds 12. John Laverty, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.403 seconds 13. Cal Crutchlow, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.421 seconds 14. Michael Laverty, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.515 seconds 15. Eugene Laverty, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.568 seconds 16. Jonathan Rea, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.602 seconds 17. John McGuinness, Yam YZF-R1, 48.676 seconds 18. Marty Nutt, Hon CBR1000RR, 48.832 seconds 19. Dennis Hobbs, Yam YZF-R1, 48.968 seconds 20. James Buckingham, Suz GSX-R1000, 49.017 seconds